“I’m happy to even be there,” said Paul Gattuso, owner of Paul’s Pizza & Hot Dog, Inc. in Westchester. “I’m proud they even asked us because we got invited to be in there, so it’s a wonderful thing.”

Gattuso said he couldn’t wait for Wednesday because this is the first year Paul’s will be at the Taste, and it also will be the first year Gattuso gets to attend because he always has been busy with the restaurant. He said he was honored the village asked him to be there.

“It made me feel really good to know a lot of people enjoy our restaurant,” he said.

Other restaurants in this year’s Taste are veterans, such as Tuscany in Oak Brook, which has been at the outdoor event for four years.

Tuscany will serve Italian beef sandwiches, among other fare. General Manager Salvatore Giovane said he is looking forward to seeing regular customers and new faces.

“We have a good relationship with the village,” Giovane said. “They’re great, and they work with the businesses, and we have a great relationship.”

Labriola Bakery Café in Oak Brook also will participate for a fourth year, serving pan pizzas.

“We’re just looking forward to getting out there and getting to know some more people, talking to guests and getting to know the community,” Manager Gwen Bry said.

A variety of kids’ activities will also take place including a petting zoo, balloon artists and face painters. An inflatable “bounce jump” will also be featured from 4 to 6 p.m. and the McDonald’s Corporation will be serving Cherry Berry Chiller.